The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a very new Superocean(Purchased in November from an AD) and so far its been in the shop now two times for the same issue. The first time was I got the watch wet and it fogged up, took it into an AD near my house and they sent it off to BUSA to get fixed. Fortunately they fixed it with no charge and it got all new seals, new face, new hands, and a complete overhaul. Right after it came back i went on holiday to Las Vegas, and was in the pool there, and the watch fogged immediately. There was a branch of the same AD down the Strip from where I was staying and I took it there. Shocked that I had only had it a few days since its return from service they promised they would send it back to BUSA and then ship it back to my home. The watch came back to me last week and on a whim I took it back into my AD and had them do a pressure test, just to make sure that it was truly watertight. The bad news is it failed the pressure test and now I am left with the thought of having to put it back in service a third time!! I was very happy at what this AD has been able to do for me, but the same cant be said for BUSA service. I am shocked that they are servicing the watch and yet it still has the problem of not being watertight. Any thoughts on what I need to do now? The AD gave me the number for Breitling service in CT and i am going to call tomorrow, but all I want now is for them to replace the entire thing since it seems to be cursed.

I think that you need to find out where the leak is occurring and make sure that BUSA specifically address that. It can't be as simple as failed seals if it keeps occurring, there has to be another inherent manufacturing fault - case tolerances not correct, threads not aligned properly, etc.

I think a new watch IS the remedy here, but it shouldn't be you negotiating with BUSA - it should be your AD! They need to be your advocate during the life of the watch - not just a place you go to buy a watch. They ought to be disappointed at the very least and requesting a replacement watch. They ought to be dealing directly with their regional BUSA rep, not the folks sitting in the BUSA head office. As far as most ADs are concerned Breitling consists of one person - THEIR assigned BUSA representative. And BUSA should WANT to own this watch again so they can determine if, as Roff suggested, there is an intrinsic manufacturing defect.

Were I you, I would lean on the AD - tell them you want a new watch and you expect them to make it happen. (Oh yeah, most ADs are surprised to learn of the existence of this site! Mention it to them and that the BS fellas feel the AD needs to step up. After all what AD wants a negative experience mentioned on the largest Breitling site?? Not suggesting extortion or anything - just a gentle elbow to the ribs.)

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SHARKMAN

The AD that I have been taking it to for the service so far isn't the place that I purchased it. I bought it on holiday in Cancun and they even make a point that as far as service goes, take it to an authorized service place and not thru them. Actually the store I went to today to have the pressure test done said that I should be talking to BUSA directly because just sending it in thru them seems to be just having the same service done again and again.
What I don't understand is that it seems to me like they are just doing service on a watch and not properly diagnosing the root cause and just sending it back out and hoping for the best. Not exactly the kind of service I was expecting from a company like them.

UPDATE!!

I called BUSA and talked to I think the regional person for Texas and explained the situation with my watch and she told me that the source of the leak in both cases has been the crown. I also told her about the AD saying the pressure test failed for the watch and she told me to send it in directly to her and they would do a check on it there and see what happens. The good thing was that she was going to have the director take a look at it as well. She did say that it should have passed a pressure test there at the facility before its shipped so either it wasnt done or it holds for a certain period and then its lost.

She did say that it was very rare to have the same watch come back for the same problem in such a short period of time. Seems to me that there truly might be a manufacturing problem with the way the crown fits on my case and that might strengthen the push to have a replacement sent.

The person I spoke to on the phone though was very nice and she even told me to pack the recept for shipping costs and that they would reimburse me the cost of shipping it to them. Thats pretty good of them I think.

Alas it means my poor Ling is going to be away from me for another 3 week stint in service. I am starting to think that it likes it better in CT than with me. Or else this is one of those joint custody Lings and I have to share it with someone else.

I'm very sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. I'm also glad to hear that BUSA has stepped up to the plate and are trying to reimburse you for your cash spent on the shipping and promising to resolve this problem.

All I can say is that I've got my fingers crossed that this third time is finally the charm. Oh yeah, ask for another piece at cost for all your worries and then sell it to you good friend Matt over here

Hmmmmm That would be nice to have them throw in a piece for the anxiety they caused. It sure rattled my cage when the same thing keeps happening and I have another Ling that I havent had a lick of trouble in the 10years I have owned it.

If I do get anything out of them I will be sure to see if you are interested.

Thanks